About Lake Vidraru
At a glance: Lakes in Arefu, Argeș County. Opening hours: daily open 24 hours. Ticket: Free. The visit takes ½ – 1 hours. Information verified on 28 September 2026.
Lake Vidraru formed behind the dam built between 1960 and 1966 in a narrow gorge of the Argeș, on the southern edge of the Făgăraș Mountains. At its normal level the water surface sits at 830 m, stretches for more than 10 km, is up to 2.2 km wide and reaches a depth of 155 m next to the dam. Besides the Argeș and the Capra and Buda rivers, the lake is fed through underground tunnels with water from several neighbouring valleys.
The dam is an arch, 166 m high and about 307 m long at the crest. When it opened it ranked fifth among Europe's arch dams. The water runs down through tunnels to an underground 220 MW hydropower plant, which produces about 400 GWh a year on average.
Above the eastern end, on a rock of Mount Pleașa, stands the Energia Monument, a 10 m statue of Prometheus holding a lightning bolt, sculpted by Constantin Popovici; locals call it "the Iron Man".
What you can see
The Transfăgărășan runs right along the crest: on one side you see the lake with its wooded slopes dropping into the water, on the other the curved wall of the dam and the deep Argeș gorge. A climb of several hundred steps leads up to the statue, from where the whole dam and lake come into view. Beyond the dam the road follows the lakeshore for almost 20 km, with places to stop, hotels, chalets, restaurants and campsites.
Good to know
Between August 2025 and February 2026 Hidroelectrica drained the lake to modernise the scheme, the first complete draining since 1974. Refilling began on 1 April 2026 and, by the company's estimates, the minimum operating level will only be reached around October 2026, so until then the lake is lower than usual, with its banks exposed. The works will continue for several years, and traffic across the crest may be closed temporarily.
- The walk along the crest, between the lake and the curved wall of the dam, high above the Argeș gorge.
- The Energia Monument, the 10 m statue of Prometheus, several hundred steps above the eastern end.
- The view from beside the statue over the whole arch of the dam and the lake.
- The drive of almost 20 km along the lakeshore, towards the high section of the Transfăgărășan.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the dam lies on the Transfăgărășan (DN7C), ~31 km (about 45 minutes) from Curtea de Argeș through Arefu and ~70 km from Pitești. From Bucharest it is ~180 km, on the A1 to Pitești and then the DN7C. From Sibiu you can come over the mountains on the Transfăgărășan (~125 km), but only while the high section is open, usually from June–July to October. A few kilometres before the dam the road passes Poenari Citadel.
Public transport: there are no scheduled services to the dam for visitors. The nearest you can get is Curtea de Argeș by coach; from there, take a taxi or an organised tour.
- Where to park
There is a small car park next to the western end of the dam; other places to stop are along the roadside at either end. Do not stop on the crest itself or below the rocky slopes, where stones can fall.
- Fees & discounts
Access to the dam, the lake and the statue is free. Entry to nearby Poenari Citadel and any leisure activities on the lake are paid separately.
- Rules
Cars drive across the crest: stay on the pavement and do not climb onto the parapet. The steps up to the statue are many and steep, so wear comfortable shoes. Bears are common in the area: do not feed them (it carries a fine) and do not get out of the car near them.
- Facilities
Information board at the dam · viewpoints at the eastern end and beside the statue · hotel at the eastern end of the dam · hotels, chalets, restaurants and campsites along the lakeshore, towards the Transfăgărășan · no step-free access to the statue
Frequently asked questions about Lake Vidraru
- How much is a ticket to Lake Vidraru?
- Admission to Lake Vidraru is free (no ticket for the dam or statue). Access to the dam, the lake and the statue is free. Entry to nearby Poenari Citadel and any leisure activities on the lake are paid separately.
- What are the opening hours of Lake Vidraru?
- Opening hours at Lake Vidraru: daily open 24 hours. The dam and the lake are in the open air and can be visited at any time. The DN7C between Curtea de Argeș and the dam is not part of the section closed in winter (Piscu Negru – Bâlea Cascadă), so the dam can be reached all year round. In 2026 the lake is being refilled after being drained for works, and traffic across the crest may be closed temporarily — check the CNAIR announcements before setting off.
- How long does a visit to Lake Vidraru take?
- A visit to Lake Vidraru takes about ½ – 1 hours (the dam and the climb to the statue).
- Can you visit Lake Vidraru with kids?
- Yes, Lake Vidraru is suitable for children (hundreds of steps to the statue).
- How do I get to Lake Vidraru?
- Lake Vidraru is located at Transfăgărășan (DN7C), km 61+500, across the top of the dam, Arefu, Argeș County. By car: the dam lies on the Transfăgărășan (DN7C), ~31 km (about 45 minutes) from Curtea de Argeș through Arefu and ~70 km from Pitești. From Bucharest it is ~180 km, on the A1 to Pitești and then the DN7C. From Sibiu you can come over the mountains on the Transfăgărășan (~125 km), but only while the high section is open, usually from June–July to October. A few kilometres before the dam the road passes Poenari Citadel. Public transport: there are no scheduled services to the dam for visitors. The nearest you can get is Curtea de Argeș by coach; from there, take a taxi or an organised tour.
- When is the best time to visit Lake Vidraru?
- The best season for Lake Vidraru: All year round (upper Transfăgărășan: summer only).
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